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Aza affecting liver!!!

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/28/2010 11:21 AM (GMT 0)
Good morning or good evening.

I have been on azathioprine now for 6 weeks at a dose of 150mg per day and feeling real well but had a call from my doc today and he said that i should stop taking aza as its affecting my liver,im concerned that i will get a return of symptons. I know its a powerful drug and i havent been on it long but will they reduce the dosage or take me of it for good,its typical that something that actually seems to do the business for my colitis messes up another part of my anatomy.

Cheers from A slightly concerned Leyton from sunny England

Posted 4/28/2010 11:57 AM (GMT 0)
      I was on 6MP for almost eight years.  While on 50 mgm, the only thing affected was my white count which dropped to 3.5.  My doctor increased my dose to 100 mgm last summer while I was going through a very bad flare.  My bilirubin doubled the normal reading and my white count plummeted to 1.6.  I felt really terrible, lethargic, flu like symptoms.  I was taken off the 6MP until my tests returned to normal.  When my doctor placed me back on the drug, it was back at the 50 mgm level, which did nothing.  Two weeks prior to starting Remicade, I had to stop the 6MP.  I really don't think it helped my UP one iota.  Well, maybe after I first went on it back in 02, but I flared yearly from 03 and now flaring more often.  Remicade failed and am now on Humira.  Feeling better, keeping fingers crossed.
Posted 4/28/2010 12:24 PM (GMT 0)
They might take you off it to see if your liver functions get better and maybe reintroduce you back on it at a lower dose. But if you can't handle it then it's wise to not take it. I think your liver is more important then your colon because you can live without a colon.
Posted 4/28/2010 12:52 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry don't have any experience to share about Aza effecting liver.  My liver blood tests have not budged at all since I have been on it, about a year now.  If I understand correctly they will take you off of it, take the blood tests again and maybe go at a lower dose once the values normalize.  If that fails they will take you off of it completely and probably suggest the biologics like Humuira and Remicade.

Sorry about not being of more help.

MyUC

Posted 4/28/2010 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry, that sucks. I'd say maybe try one of the biologics (Remi, Humira) if you cant tolerate aza? Or maybe an alternative treatment like LDN or whipworm?
Posted 4/28/2010 7:41 PM (GMT 0)
I was on Azathioprine for about ten weeks and it was working well. A blood test showed a huge increase in my liver enzymes and I was taken off of it immediately. Now I've been off it for about six weeks and I'm seeing a slow retun of UC symptoms. My GI has not mentioned trying the Aza again at a lower dose. The most that I took was 100mg so maybe it's case by case.
Posted 4/28/2010 11:50 PM (GMT 0)
too bad, but better to not try it again.

Can you try the mesalamine oral and rectal meds?

q
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